In an extraordinary twist to an already bizarre saga, the Gauteng Cricket Board has announced that intends to hold a commission of inquiry into South African cricket. This follows a commission of inquiry into the actions of Daryll Cullinan who withdrew from the South African Test team this week following a contractual dispute with the Unite Cricket Board.

In a statement following the Cullinan hearing on Saturday, the GCB said that its inquiry would deal with: "The concerns that have been raised by Mr Cullinan resulting in him not representing his country; the formation of a coherent players' association that will represent the players' interest at national and provincial level and whether Mr Cullinan's conduct and comments constitute bringing the game into disrepute."

So mild is the tone of the statement that it almost seems an apology to Cullinan for troubling him with the inquiry and it is bound infuriate UCB officials. It is also not know whether the GCB has the authority to institute its own commission and what co-operation would be forthcoming from the governing body of South African cricket.

Indeed, since the GCB announced that it was suspending Cullinan this week, questions have been asked as to why the GCB was involving itself in a dispute between the UCB and a selected Test match player.

If nothing else, though, the GCB's announcement illustrates the confusion that currently reigns in South African cricket at a time when the UCB is considering how best to restructure the game in this country. Developments will be awaited with much interest.

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